24-hour Bay Line now open for season

The state Department of Environmental Management announces that its seasonal 24-hour Bay Line telephone-information line is now open. The Bay Line number, 222-8888, is toll-free within the state.

Bay Line provides Rhode Islanders with a central telephone number to leave a recorded message about any sign of Narragansett Bay-related environmental problems throughout the summer season for appropriate follow-up. It also offers updates on the overall health of the bay, and referral numbers for information about any current restrictions on beaches or fishing. Callers may also pose questions about the bay.

Reports of bay conditions, updated weekly on Bay Line, are compiled from data provided by a network of monitoring stations in the bay that monitor oxygen, temperature, salinity, and, in some cases, water clarity and the presence of algae blooms. The monitoring data is supplemented by field observations made by DEM personnel. The first report has been posted and indicates that surface water temperatures warmed this week throughout the bay, and that all water-quality conditions are normal for this time of year.

“Narragansett Bay is one of our greatest assets and plays a major role in the state’s economy by supporting tourism, recreation, fisheries, marine trades and related industries,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Residents and tourists alike enjoy swimming at the bay’s shores and boating on our waters.”